Christian leaders from both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions have expressed solidarity with the people of Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on June 24, leaving hundreds dead and thousands injured.
According to the latest figures released by Venezuelan authorities, more than 230 people have been killed and over 4,300 injured after earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. Thousands remain missing, raising concerns that the death toll could continue to rise. The coastal city of La Guaira suffered the most extensive damage, while Caracas and several other communities also experienced significant destruction.
Bishop Timothy of Assos, who oversees the Orthodox community in Venezuela, urged the faithful to pray for those affected by the disaster. In a statement posted on social media, he said that, based on current information, no members of the Orthodox or Greek communities had been reported among the dead, although casualties and widespread destruction had been recorded across the country.
The Romanian Orthodox Church also issued a statement expressing Christian solidarity with the Venezuelan people. The Patriarchate extended condolences to the families of the victims, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, and offered special support to Romanian citizens living in Venezuela, asking God to grant them peace, courage, and protection.
The World Council of Churches called on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela. The organization said it was praying for those who lost their lives, the injured, and the missing, while encouraging its member churches and people of goodwill around the world to support the country's recovery through prayer and charitable action.
Pope Leo XIV also announced support for Venezuela by authorizing an emergency donation of €100,000 through the Apostolic Almoner's Office. The Vatican described the contribution as the first stage of assistance, with additional aid to be coordinated alongside the Apostolic Nuncio and the Archbishop of Caracas according to the needs of the local Church.
Across Venezuela, many Catholic parishes have opened temporary shelters for people displaced by the earthquakes. Parish communities and the Caritas charitable network are providing humanitarian relief as well as pastoral care to survivors.
Authorities described the earthquakes as the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century. Numerous aftershocks have been recorded since the main tremors, damaging homes, infrastructure, and churches belonging to various Christian denominations. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing.
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What Should We Remember?
Olga Kutanina
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